Solar Panel Based Electrical Power Generating System Utilizing Man-Made Wind from High Performance Compressor Fans to Compress Air within a Nacelle that Spins a Vertical or Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Connected to a Gearing System to Rotate an Electrical Generator for Grid Scale Applications with a Self-Sustaining Capability

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for generating electricity using solar panels to power “compressor” fans that force air into a nacelle that turns a turbine. The turbine is connected to a gearing system that is connected to a generator. The generator is connected to a master control unit and a transformer. The master control unit decides whether to store the electricity in batteries, power the “compressor” fans or send the surplus electricity to the grid. The horizontal or vertical embodiments of the invention do not require a tower or blades.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/954,601 entitled “Dynamo Tower: A Solar Panel Based Electrical Power Generating System that Utilizes Man-Made Wind from High Performance Compressor Fans to Compress Air that Spins a Vertical or Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine that Utilizes a Gearing System to Rotate a Generator that Creates Electricity for Grid Scale Applications with a Self-Sustaining Capability” filed on Mar. 18, 2014 and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The current design for a large (100-300 foot) wind turbine is modeled after an old time windmill. While this application certainly works it leaves a lot to be desired. In a large “wind farm” facility with many acres to utilize (i.e. the country) the wind mill design works well. However, it has many drawbacks. The large rotating blades can kill birds and even more importantly; it does not work at all without wind. Solar panels work fine as long as the sun is shining. However, in the dark they are useless. There is a need for improved systems and methods for generation of electricity from sustainable energy.

A search of other concepts to solve this problem includes Ogin Energy http://oginenergy.com that adds a shroud to the wind turbine in order to increase the power of the turning blades. Also, the following inventions have received patents in the field. U.S. Pat. No. 8,938,967 by Thomas McMaster uses a hybrid solar/fuel cell system and U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,739 by inventor Kari Appa uses a jet assisted counter rotating wind turbine. However, they both require the use of a tower and blades similar to a windmill.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This unique invention is a solar panel based electrical power generating system that utilizes man-made wind from high performance compressor fans to compress air that spins a vertical or horizontal axis wind turbine that utilizes a gearing system to rotate a generator that creates electricity for grid scale applications with a self-sustaining capability. The embodiment is designed to convert solar energy via solar panels into electricity in order to power high performance “compressor” fans that create compressed air that blow air through a “wind tunnel/nacelle” that spins a vertical or horizontal axis wind turbine located at the top (vertical) or end (horizontal) of the structure that utilizes a gear box connected to the wind turbine via a shaft that turns a generator that creates electricity for grid scale applications. The system also incorporates a unique self generating energy feature that utilizes part of its generated electricity to recharge its batteries and/or power its compressor fans. If the entire system is without power, the sun could charge the batteries and/or operate the compressor fans which would start the process of electricity production along with the device's self-sustaining aspect.

In both the vertical and horizontal embodiments the blades, hub and tower are removed from a standard 100-300 ft. wind turbine. A custom hub would be built that would be similar in style to a “whirly bird” roof top turbine. The device is designed to supplement and/or replace 100-300 foot wind turbines and solar panel farms that are currently in existence. It is also designed to either totally or partially replace nuclear power plants, coal fired power plants and natural gas power plants. It is a sustainable, clean and safe method to create electricity. It utilizes a battery system to store the electricity. It has a self generating power structure that enables a portion of the generated electricity to either charge the batteries or operate the compressor fans.

One of the embodiments of the invention in a vertical position (Vertical Axis Wind Turbine) can be in the form of a typical water tower structure so that it is unobtrusive in an urban environment. It can utilize its original nacelle or have a custom enclosure built. It can also be placed horizontally (Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine) in its original nacelle (or a manufactured “container capsule”) so that its vertical height is reduced. With these embodiments the device is able to be placed within urban areas so that it does not require the construction of new long distance high voltage lines that current wind turbine and solar farms in the country require in order for the electricity to be transmitted to the urban areas where it is needed. These embodiments allow it to utilize existing high voltage transmission systems that already exist in urban environments.

The nacelle (container of the electronics) of the device can either use a standard nacelle for the wind turbines electronics or a custom “wind tunnel” could be built that allows for the compression of the air. Also a standard wind turbine nacelle could have a structure built around it that would allow it to be placed almost anywhere.

At the base of the structure are air intakes that allow the air to be drawn into the structure by multiple compressor fans. At the turbine end of the structure the air is exhausted; this allows the air to circulate through the structure. To be specific: the compressor fans force compressed air through the container capsule into the turbine. The modified “hub” of the turbine has a spiral “wind vent/whirly bird” design that turns due to the air pressure. This spins the turbine. The turbine is connected to a gearing system. The gearing system is connected to a generator. The generator is connected to a transformer. The drag placed on the turbine by the gearing system and the generator slow down the even flow of the air thereby compressing it.

The exhaust air from the turbine is sent into a “holding tank” that surrounds the turbine and then the air is exhausted through the vents into the atmosphere. Also, the air can be exhausted through the turbine and directly into the atmosphere if no holding tank is desired or necessary. The air generated by the compressor fans at the base of the structure is compressed due to the resistance caused by the interaction of the turbine, the gearbox and the generator. The turbine's base around the turbine is airtight thereby forcing the air through the aperture below the center of the turbine which turns the turbine due to its spiral shape and air openings.

A possible type of electronic equipment inside the nacelle would be the components of a GE 1.5 MW wind turbine or a Siemens 2.3 MW wind turbine. These electronics are capable of generating enough electricity to power 400-600 homes. The majority of the electricity created by the generator (Alternating Current) is sent to a transformer in order to have the voltage lowered if necessary for use in the form of 220 volts (home/business) or it is stepped up to a higher voltage if it needs to be transmitted over long distances via high voltage wires. Part of the electricity created by the generator is also sent to a transformer in order to have the voltage modified and inverted from Alternating Current power into Direct Current power in order to charge the batteries if necessary and/or to operate the compressor fans. The entire process is monitored by a Master Control Unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a horizontal embodiment of the invention with an air holding tank.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of a horizontal embodiment without a holding tank.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of a vertical embodiment of the invention with an air holding tank.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of a vertical embodiment of the invention without an air holding tank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The sun's rays hit the solar panels (1) that can charge the batteries (2) and/or are used to power the compressor fans (3) that force the outside air into the nacelle towards the exhaust outlets (10). The exhaust outlets are located in an air holding tank (12). The intake air comes from outside the building at the base of the structure (9). The man-made compressed air (via fans) forces the air inside the containment vessel/nacelle (11) this action ultimately turns the turbine (4) at the end of the structure.

The base of the turbine is airtight with an aperture below the turbine. The compressed air enters the aperture and then turns the turbine in order to escape/equalize the pressure. The containment building/nacelle (11) can serve as a “wind tunnel”. Also, an existing nacelle of a wind turbine could also be used as the containment structure. The blades, the hub and the tower of a standard 100-300 ft. wind turbine would be removed and a modified turbine hub would be added. The turbine (4) turns a gearbox (5) that drives a generator (6) that creates and sends the electricity to a transformer (8) the electricity is sent through a transmission network (the grid) that sends the power to buildings. The potential exists for the gearbox (5) to be an optional unit.

A computerized Master Control Unit (MCU) (7) governs where the electricity will be sent. The activation and speed of the fans, the output, governing and interaction of all of the devices, the charging of the batteries, interconnectivity with other similar devices, the monitoring of the entire system, self diagnosis of the system, alerts to interested parties while it also continually monitors the entire system internally. It has the potential to be connected to other similar devices and send information via the internet back to headquarters.

The majority of the electricity produced is sent to the grid. A portion of the electricity can be transformed into a lower voltage and inverted from alternating current to direct current (as needed) so that it can be used to both charge the batteries and/or power the fans. The compressor fans can be alternating current and/or direct current.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1. Solar Panels -   2. Batteries -   3. Compressor Fans -   4. Turbine -   5. Gearbox -   6. Generator -   7. Master Control Unit (MCU) -   8. Transformer -   9. Air Intake -   10. Exhaust Outlet -   11. Nacelle/Wind Tunnel -   12. Air Holding Tank 

1. A system for generating electrical energy, said system comprising: a nacelle for “housing” the electronic components; solar panels for powering the fans and/or charging the batteries; batteries for storing the electricity provided by the solar panels or the generator; compressor fans that fill the nacelle with compressed air resulting in the turning of the turbine; a turbine that turns a gearbox (optional); a gearbox that turns a generator; a generator that creates electricity; a Master Control Unit that determines whether to send the electricity to the grid, the batteries, the fans or for internal use; a transformer that can increase or decrease the voltage and convert the voltage from alternating current to direct current (or vice versa) as needed; air inputs that allow air to be forced inside the nacelle from the atmosphere; air exhausts that allow the air to be exhausted back into the atmosphere; whereby, when the compressor fans force air into the nacelle the turbine is turned resulting in electricity that can be sent to the grid.
 2. The invention is comprised of two basic embodiments: horizontal and vertical; these embodiments do not require towers or blades; the exhaust air can be blown directly into the atmosphere from the turbine; or, the exhaust air can be sent into a “holding tank” and vented into the atmosphere.
 3. Both horizontal and vertical embodiments utilize solar power to create man made wind (via fans) in order to power a wind turbine from compressed air within a nacelle; the generated electricity can be sent to the grid; the generated electricity can be used to power the fans or charge the batteries. 